Half N.J. voters say public pensions too high, divided on fix

Asked how to make up the pension shortfall:Almost half New Jersey voters say public worker pensions are too hight. But they are divided on how to fix the pension's problem. A Quinnipiac University poll released today shows 47 percent of voters think public pensions are too high, 9 precent think they fare too low. But only 12 percent want a tax hike to make up for the shortfall in pension funds.

"With Gov. Christopher Christie's 'no pain, no gain' summertime tour of the state, the public employee pension system is under attack," said Maurice Carroll, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "But New Jersey is still a labor-friendly state. Should workers accept lower payments? Most voters say no. Should taxes go up? A bigger no."

If pension costs must be reduced, 52 percent of voters say the best way is to call on public employees to contribute more to their pensions, while 31 percent say the best way is to make public employees wait until they are older to collect pensions.

"We'll have to see what the governor's pension study commission comes up with, but most voters think worker contributions should be raised. Some would favor a longer wait for eligibility," Carroll said.